Power Switch on top of front bezel

Would like to know how your power button reacts when you push it.

The button actually pushes the real power switch and mine has been acting up recently. I use to be able to push the button and the power would seem to start immediately. The feel also seemed uneventful.

Recently it felt like the button would hang up or stick and not turn on the computer so I called the tech's. I have to give credit to the Dell individual this time as he actually did what you would expect. However, the part odered was changedby someone and Dell once again sent the wrong part so the tech and I tried lubing the button to see if that would help.

Now the button seems to be much better but when I press the button I have to hold the button down for a brief moment until the power starts.

Do any of you have to hold the button down waiting for the power to start even if it is just a little bit? I never had to do this before but it is consistant and the computer works.

bump / poke / whatever else........

Anyone else have a power button on there Aurora?

My Aurora.

I assume the button just pushes a pair of contacts together as I hear no click when I press mine (micro-switch? )

One push and release; 1/2 a second in all and mine fires up.

I would not oil or grease the button as it gathers dirt that sticks and gets gluey, I would have tried Talcum Powder or Graphite powder. The symptom seems to be the switch contacts or loose connection to the Mobo. Can you flash a short on the Mobo pins and see if it's instant or not, that may give you a clue.

Good Luck

Thanks for the reply.

The button on top is just a piece of plastic that pushes down on another switch which is the actual power button. Used a bit of synthetic grease. Graphite would probably have been better.

My question however is this. When you push that button, do you have to hold it down momentarily until you see and hear the power come on? Or is it an immediate (excuse the phrase) turn-on?

Just tried it for you, pushed down full travel, the light flashed before I released it, no more than half-a-second in all.

I would say it was instant at full travel. I have done this everyday for 16 months and never really noticed, just knew it was really fast.

As I said you could try shorting the Mobo pins with a screw-driver after removing the 2 wires that go to the switch, I have not tried this on mine but it should fire-up as soon as you short them.

Good Luck

On mine I have to hold the button down and wait for it to start. Never had to do that. I recall it being as you said, immediately.

The problem is in the swich under the button so I don't think shirting my mobo is necessary at this time.

I just posted about this last week. The switch on the top of my Aurora gets jammed quite often. Sometimes it gets stuck down and must be assisted back up with a paper clip or something to pop back out. If the switch doesn't get popped back up its hit or miss whether or not pushing the button will actually turn the computer on.

Try blasting a bit of compressed air around the center of that button. Might be able to blow out some grime.

If you have to the service manual explains how to gain access to the top I/O bezel. It is a bit of a chore but not difficult.

Short the switch or MB pins to trouble-shoot this strange delay problem. If the MB and switch check good, it's just a mechanical problem with the actuator assembly.

Ya, see that other thread for my suggestion (basically, make the mech. more sensitive with less "throw")

@ AAA737Flyer

Answer my PM (about another matter).

oh oh, that sounds serious......

I logged on but didn't see any message.

AAA737flyer

oh oh, that sounds serious......

I logged on but didn't see any message.

Yes, it kinda is ...

But I can't talk to you about it privately because your Account here is messed up or you have some Privacy Setting set in a non-default way.

Any reason for this? First, on my Friending request you should have seen my original PM to you ...  did you? Second, for some reason ... I can't start a "Conversation" with you (button is missing). Try starting one with me.

As for your missing Message Activity History ... the Admins are looking into it.

As for what I needed to talk to you privately about ... well, contact me via PM if you can. Or, someone from Dell might be contacting you directly.